SPLENDORS OF SOUTH INDIA w/houseboat stay

 

31 OCTOBER – 16 NOVEMBER 2007 – 15 Days

 

INTERNATIONAL AIR ITINERARY

 

DAY 01 – 01 NOV-   ARRIVAL: MADRAS (Chennai)  

Meeting, assistance on arrival and drive to Mahabalipuram. Check in at Great Temple Bay hotel, by the sea.

 

DAY 02 – 02 NOV                MAHABALIPURAM  (B/D)

After late breakfast, time to get over jet lag…..…….

Visit Mahabalipuram: Also known as the Seven Pagodas, Mahabalipuram is a pleasant seaside Resort, 85 kms from Madras. Today the principal attraction of the place to the tourist lies in the wonderful monolithic monuments and stone sculptures of the ancient Pallava Dynasty of Kings who ruled much of the territory now known as Tamil Nadu, from the 16th century AD. These Kings laid the foundations of Dravidian architecture in India and at Mahabalipuram, today, the earliest of these remarkable monuments are to be seen, all hewn out of rocks. The important monuments to be seen are the Five Rathas, the bas-relief on huge rock popularly known as Arjuna's Penance, the Mahisasura Mandapam, the Krishna Mandapam and the shore Temple.  Overnight at Great Temple Bay Hotel.

 

DAY 03 – 03 NOV-   MAHABALIPURAM/MADRAS/TRICHY (B/D)

 

Morning drive Mahabalipuram/Madras for sightseeing tour of Madras

 

Madras city: visiting, the fort St. George and St. Mary's church-built by the British east India Company in 1653 AD.  A church within the fort was consecrated in 1680. The high court, built in the indo saracenic style and the San Thome cathedral, where St. Thomas the apostle is said to be buried. Marina beach is one of the nicest beaches in this region, popular with the local people.

                       

                        Thereafter transfer to Railway station to board train to Trichy.

 

DEP: MADRAS                     1325 HRS       2635 EXP

                        ARR: TRICHY                      1725 HRS       Aircon Chair car         

 

Meeting assistance on arrival and drive to Tanjore. On arrival check-in Sangam Hotel.

 

DAY 04 – 04 NOV -              TANJORE     (B/D)              

After breakfast visit word famous heritage Tanjore temples.

 

Tanjore (thanjavur): Tanjore was the capital of Chola Empire from the 10th to 14th century a.d. built in 1003 a.d. by king rajaraja. This temple is considered the grandest and finest in India. The majestic tower of the temple rises 216 ft. high over the city.  The temple is capped by a monolithic cupola formed by a single granite block weighing 80 tones. This enormous stone is said to have been positioned by moving it along an inclined plane which commenced in a village 6 km. away - a technique adopted by the pyramid-builders of ancient Egypt. Overnight at Sangam Hotel.

 

DAY 05 – 05 NOV-   TANJORE/MADURAI (B/D)

Drive Tanjore/Madurai (128 kms, 3 hrs), visiting Trichy enroute. 

 

Trichy: This town had been the southern sea of power for centuries.  Many French & English battles were fought here battling for power when Robert Clive brought victory to the English in 18th century. The rock fort has played an important role in these events.     

 

Continue drive to Madurai on arrival check-in at Taj Garden Retreat hotel on the hill.

 

PM: Meenakshi Temple: This is an exquisite example of Temples built by the Pandyan Rulers. There are as many as 11 majestic towers with the main entrance from the east. There are two Shrines, one dedicated to Sundreswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi. The hall in front of the Sundareswarar shrine is known as Kampathadi Mandapam. The different manifestations of Lord Shiva are depicted on the pillars of this hall.

 

The hall of thousand pillars is the most interesting feature. This remarkable structure was built in the 16th century. The pillars here have a repeated motif of the Stylized Dragon. There are musical pillars in one of the outer enclosures. Each pillar sounds a different note when struck. Inside, a pillared Portico surrounds he sacred Golden Lotus Tank. According to a legend, this tank was once used to judge the Merits of Tamil Literary Works. Manuscripts of great worth would float on its discerning waters, while those lacking in merit would sink. The Temple Art Gallery is interesting.

 

Witness the Pooja (Worship) ceremony in the evening.

 

DAY 06 – 06 NOV -              MADURAI/PERIYAR (B/D)

Drive Madurai/Periyar (160 kms/4 hrs). On arrival check-in at Taj Garden Retreat hotel.

 

PM: Boat cruises in the Periyar Lake to see the wild animals. This sanctuary is very famous for wild animals.  

 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - surrounds the Periyar Lake formed by a dam across the Periyar River.  This tropical forest reserve has all the major birds, animals as well as flora which a nature lover would like to see. A variety of wildlife, from elephants, bison and monkeys may be seen, from your launch cruising down the lake which meanders through the jungle-covered hills that surround it.

 

DAY 07 – 07 NOV    -PERIYAR/KETTUVALLAM (B/L/D)

Drive Periyar/Kottayam to the jetty. On arrival check-in at your Houseboat known as the VAMBANADU KETTUVALLAM.

 

             

 

Kettuvallam: Adapted and modernized from the traditional Kettuvallam (Rice Boat) of Kerala, the Kettuvallam is an experience in itself.  Large and comfortable amenities you could ask for.  A large, secluded bedroom, an attached bathroom, a full fledged kitchen with a spacious dining area.  And a sundeck where you can laze on wicker chairs as you watch the world go by.  The Kettuvallam comes complete with a full time chef to cook you the catch of the day or whatever else that might catch your fancy and two attendants are always at your beck and call. 

 

Your House Boat carries you slowly into the countryside offers a close look into an engaging rustic life.  Skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats and rural scenery will keep you interested in the exotic back-waters of Kerala. 

                        Lunch and dinner at the houseboat

 

DAY 08 -08 NOV -    KETTUVALLAM/COCHIN  (B/D)

Early in the morning enjoy a panoramic view of sunrise from your houseboat.

 

After breakfast cruise towards Alleppey through interesting countryside. Arrive Alleppey by the rice boat and drive to Cochin (2 hrs). On arrival check-in at the Brunton Boatyard hotel.

A very interesting location and property.

 

Eve: Enjoy the Kathakali dance performance in a theater. You will get there one hour early to see the artists putting on the exquisite make –up.

 

 

DAY 09 – 09 NOV-   COCHIN (B/D)

 

AM: COCHIN: Visit to the Cochin Harbor Terminus, Mattancheery Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin Area-St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets.  Also at Ernakulam, the Public Gardens, Colleges, High Court Building and Broadway Shopping Centre.

 

PM: Indian home visit with Kerala cuisine cooking demonstration and Dinner.

Overnight at Brunton Boatyard Hotel.

 

DAY 10 – 10 NOV-   COCHIN/WAYNAD  (B/D)

After breakfast Drive Cochin/Waynad (250 KMS/6 hrs). En route visit Guruvayur Temple and Putanarkote Elephant Camp (which has around 60 elephants that are decorated and used in local festivals).

 

Also visit Calicut en route, which is the point of landing of Vasco de Gama in India and take this opportunity to visit the local Muslim houses.

 

Late afternoon arrival and check-in your hotel Eddakkal Hermitage. Free to rest and enjoy the breathtaking view of Waynad valley (the rain forest of India).

 

Enjoy candle light dinner in a pre-historic cave within the hotel premises. The hotel in itself is a unique, home stay experience.

 

DAY 11 – 11 NOV -  WAYNAD  (B/D)

AM:  Visit Edakal caves: The rather striking representation of an ancient warrior chieftain is a part of a rich array of Neolithic rock art inscribed on the walls of Eddakal caves are one of the most important sites of prehistoric human settlement in southern Asia. One can also visit many waterfalls in the hills of Waynad in the southern ghats.

 

Also visit the Tribal Museum and visit the local markets at Kalpetta, which are very interesting and bazaars where the local people shop.  Overnight Eddakkal Hermitage.

 

DAY 12 – 12 NOV -  WAYNAD/MYSORE (B/D)

Drive to Mysore (150 KM/4 hrs). One of the most beautiful drives in the hills of Waynad. On arrival check in at Regallis hotel. Rest of afternoon at leisure.

 

DAY 13 – 13 NOV - MYSORE (B/D)

AM: Mysore: Visiting, Maharaja's Palace; The Art Gallery, housed in the Jagan Mohan Palace, has a collection of absorbing paintings; Chamundi Hill, is the Chamundeswari Temple at an altitude of 3,489 feet.

 

PM: Srirangapatnam: 16 kms. North of Mysore Srirangapatnam meaning "Port of the Lord of the World" is an ancient religious site on an island in the River Cauvery.  The summer palace of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatanam is known for its fortress and tomb of the famous warrior king. The summer palace has some beautiful paintings depicting Tipu's various battles with the British army.  Overnight at Regallis Hotel.

 

 

DAY 14 – 14 NOV - MYSORE/HASSAN (B/D)

 

Drive Hassan/Mysore (120 KM/3 hrs).  On arrival check-in at Hoysala Resort hotel.

 

PM: Visit belur & BELUR & HALEBID: situated on the banks of River Yagachi, Belur was the capital Hoysala Empire 800 years ago before it was shifted to nearby Helebid.  Also visit the Hoyasaleswara temple at Halebid, one of the finest examples of temple architecture.  You will be struck by the close attention to detail paid by the artisans!  Experience this magnificent creation of human mind and hands.

 

 

DAY 15 – 15 NOV -  HASSAN/BANGALORE/DEPARTURE (B/D)

After early breakfast drive hassan/bangalore (187 km/4 hrs) visiting Sravanbelgola enroute.

           

Sravenabelgola: A centre of Digambar Jains.  Bhadra bahu, a sage who died here in the 4th century B.C. was one of the six desceptes of Mahavira, the founder of Jain sect.  The rock is presided over by a colossal statue, 57 feet high (AD 983) of Jain saint Gomateswara.  It is nude.  The face has the calm look usual in Jain and Buddhist statues. The stone looks as fresh as if newly quarried, due to its being profusely anointed at intervals of 25 years. Palanquins are also available at extra cost.

 

Continue drive to Bangalore and on arrival transfer to Nandhna Grand Hotel. Day use of room until departure to the airport for your flight on Singapore Airlines. Dinner at Hotel.

 

Later transfer to Bangalore International airport for your flight to Singapore SQ 503 leaving at 11.10pm. Check in is at 9.10pm. 

 

END OF TOUR/OUR SERVICES

B-B'fast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

 

 THE ABOVE COST INCLUDES – PER ITINERARY:

 1)    14 NTS HOTEL ROOM ON HALF BOARD (BREAKFAST & DINNER).

 2)    FULL BOARD AT HOUSEBOAT 

 3)    DAY USE OF ROOM, NANDHNA GRAND HOTEL IN BANGALORE (15 NOV)

 4)    TRAIN FARE – MADRAS TO TRICHY IN AIRCON CHAIR CAR

 5)    TRANSFERS & TOURS BY AIRCON VEHICLE  *Complimentary bottled water.

 6)    LOCAL ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE.

 7)    PRESENT GOVERNMENT TAXES.

 8)    BOAT CRUISE IN PERIYAR LAKE

 9)    KATHAKALI  DANCE  IN COCHIN.

10)   INDIAN HOME VISIT WITH COOKING DEMONSTRATION & DINNER

11)    ENTRANCE FEE AT ALL MONUMENTS.

12)    4.90% VAT GOVT. TAX

13)    INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE (Discount Economy Class) on Singapore Airlines

          Routing: Los Angeles–Singapore-Madras/return-Bangalore-Singapore - LAX

EXCLUDED COSTS:

Charges for services of a personal nature, such as personal tipping, telephone, Laundry, room service, airport taxes, trip/baggage insurance, visa/passport fees, Camera/video fees, extra meals and beverages and any items not specifically mentioned.

Visa - A visa is required for travel to India and we can assist you with this. The cost for the visa for India is $90.00 per person, includes visa fee and processing.

Insurance - We highly recommend trip protection insurance and we can assist you in obtaining this valuable coverage, at competitive rates.

Booking conditions - We request a deposit of $500.00 per person, to proceed with all reservations. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure, and final documents are sent 30 days prior to departure.

Terms of booking - We request a signed copy of our terms and conditions which details our cancellation policies and terms of booking. (Copy enclosed.)

We also need a clear copy of your passport. (Please enlarge to 120%).

Rates -All rates are quoted are based on current tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change. Government taxes are based on current rates and are subject to change. Rates quoted are valid for travel from 01 October to November 30, 2007.  There will be a discount of 3% for payments by check or cashier's check. We accept all major credit cards.

Airfares:  All airfares quoted are subject to change, unless ticketed. All discount fares are subject to penalties for changes and cancellations after ticketing. No mileage credit on Discount Economy fare in quotation.

Full refunds and changes are permitted on the special Executive Class (S class fares) with full mileage credit on Singapore Airlines. Upgraded cost is provided.

NOTE: We reserve the right to change or alter the itinerary and costs when circumstances beyond our control deem it necessary.

 

Extension tours to MALDIVE ISLANDS, Sri Lanka, Singapore, THAILAND, Malaysia & Indochina ARE available on request.

 

FOR BOOKINGS & FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:-